Citation

Toplines

Employer insurance premiums grew more slowly in most states post-ACA

Employer insurance deductibles have grown faster than incomes over last 10 years

Overview

From 2010 to 2013—the years following the implementation of the Affordable
Care Act—there has been a marked slowdown in premium growth in 31 states and the District
of Columbia. Yet, the costs employees and their families pay out-of-pocket for deductibles and
their share of premiums continued to rise, consuming a greater share of incomes across the
country. In all but a handful of states, average deductibles more than doubled over the past
decade for employees working in large and small firms. Workers are paying more but getting less
protective benefits. Costs are particularly high, compared with median income, in Southern and
South Central states, where incomes are below the national average. Based on recent forecasts
that predict an uptick in private insurance growth rates starting in 2015, securing slow cost
growth for workers, families, and employers will likely require action to address rising costs of
medical care services. Read the brief or visit the interactive map.

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Mission

The mission of The Commonwealth Fund is to promote a high-performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children, and elderly adults.